The 40 Win Club..

Finally a game to smile about!  60 minutes of decent if not great hockey brought the Jackets their first 40 win season in franchise history.  A very welcoming situation for fans frothing over a playoff bid, this win does not quite solidify the playoffs, but it was a win that goes a long way in helping their chances.

I am personally very excited about how Umberger and Vermette played tonight.  Once again they were an offensive threat each time they got on the ice, and gave the Predators a headache defensively.  Umberger also rung a couple shots off the pipe, which could have easily spelled a Columbus blowout victory.

Hits and faceoffs were both rather even on the scoresheet, which is rarely a common trend for the Jackets.  Typically you see them play a very tight game, winning a lot of faceoffs, or they play the physical game and dominate the hitting.  Tonight was very indicative of that Hitchian all around game, and it was clear that Nashville had more than they could handle.

Steve Mason impressed me tonight as well.  Very, very big saves stymied the Nashville offense and gave the Jackets faithful a lot to cheer about.  There were several opportunities that could have easily been goals, but Mason came up huge with a glove save on each of them.

There will be a rematch Saturday against Nashville.  I can just about guarantee Nashville will come out angry, so I am personally hoping Columbus comes out firing again.

Carry the Flag!

What is Left for the Jackets?

I felt that I should give myself a day after that weekend home and home sweep at the hands of St Louis.  I do not know if I can truly project my disappointment towards their ineptitude in regards to beating St Louis or at least retaining their comfortable position in the standings, so we will get started here and see where it goes.

First off, regarding the games...  The were disappointing.  They could not capitalize on a St Louis team skating on their heels in game one, and foolish mistakes by Huselius and Williams in the shootout likely cost them that point.  Moving on to Sunday, the effort was clearly not there from the opening draw.  With horrible mistakes defensively leading to countless turnovers, odd man rushes, and breakaways, Mason was hung out to dry and given no real chance to have a competitive game himself, which he did not.

But the point here is as flat and simple as it gets.  Win enough to get in the playoffs, or deal with a truly unsatisfied, angry, and upset fan base that will inevitably feel like they were violated.  Columbus is now expected to make the post-season.  They are no longer playoff underdogs.  Prior to the week, their statistical lead from 9th place was enough to have a multitude of media outlets suggest that it was a sealed deal.  Was that their mistake?  Of course not.  They were playing great hockey, winning games while staring adversity in the face, and proving their worth.

Hard to say the same thing about this weekend.

I am ready to expect a strong effort in their next six games.  I do not expect them to win them all, but if I am forced to witness another lackluster effort, this blog will be a lot more hostile towards them.  I have personally been called a homer, and a prude regarding the teams I favor heavily.  This year, I have been told that my negativity towards the team is frustrating and confusing.  I have been told to lighten up and enjoy what the team is doing.  Well, it is at this point I sit back and remind myself why I was upset they squandered those points.  It reminds me why I was so angry they lost 7-2 to Edmonton months ago.  It was me carrying the flag then, and it is me telling you to do the same now..

So Jackets fans... Carry the Flag!

Nation-wow Arena..

It is hard to collect all my thoughts on a game that ended so well for the Jackets.  While I think they could not have done any better on the scoresheet, I still think there are some serious issues with either the team of the league referees.

But let's start without the conspiracy.  After squandering a free game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Jackets came out like a powerhouse last night, scoring two goals in the first and never looking back.  They controlled many aspects of the game, most notably the faceoff circle.  The final faceoff total was 44 to 24 in favor of the Jackets, with Antoine Vermette winning 20 draws and only losing 6.  That kind of statistic is extremely valuable to a team, because gaining possession off the draw can lead to a lot of opportunity.

The second thing I want to point out is the powerplay.  They went 2 for 5, and scored a goal two seconds after a penalty expired, so I am comfortable suggesting that their powerplay scored or caused 3 of their 5 goals.  That is 60%.  That is 47% better than their current average over the span of this year.  It certainly gives the fans an idea of what a game looks like when their hometown team knows what to do with the puck.  I am ready to couple that with the efficiency of  the top line tonight as well, which is my final point.

Huselius had 4 assists.  For a guy who has been under my gun for the last month on account of turnovers and terrible passes, I think it is time to give him a game or two break from my bad books.  Having a hand in four of five goals is a very big deal, and I am ready to give him plenty of credit for last night's game.  The same can be said (and expected anymore) from our captain Rick Nash.  Also getting 4 asssists last night, Nash has now eclipsed his previous point record of 69.  Steve Mason continues to impress with his league leading 10th shutout of the year, and is building his case for rookie of the year.

I will only briefly touch on this supposed conspiracy.  For the last few games, I have kept an eye on the officiating, and it truly does seem as though Columbus has been getting the shorter end of the straw.  It started with the horrible call on Jared Boll for diving against the Blackhawks, and continued into last night with calls that seemed to favor Calgary each time.  While I do not believe it is fair, it is what the Jackets will have to continue to overcome if they want to make the playoffs and beyond.  They will need to understand that some teams are simply given more respect by the officiating crew.

Expect my standings update soon.   Columbus now stands 6 points ahead of 9th place, and the Jackets can not look back!

Carry the Flag!

TB Game Recap

There was a lot to be impressed about with tonight's game in Tampa Bay.  There was also a lot that I need to discuss to negate all the good, so bear with me, because I am seriously displeased.

First, the good....

The Jackets badly outshot the Lightning, and dominated most of the game.  Their offensive presence was strong, and their passing seemed to be good when the correct players were on the ice.  It was evident that their attention to Hitch after two periods of play was high, as I am assuming he told them to take more shots, and they absolutely came out firing in the third period, getting almost 10 shots in the first 4 minutes.

Unfortunately, that is all the good I can muster.

Now, the bad....

First off, let's get right to the thick of it.  Coaching.  I have a few examples, so again bear with me, as Hitchcock is clearly a fan favorite in Columbus.  He is simply putting the wrong players on the ice at the wrong time.  Huselius had an absolutely horrific game, failing on pass after pass, and putting very little effort into his game, and yet he found himself out on both the powerplay, AND the overtime.  Same goes for Tyutin, who spent the entire overtime on the ice, which spanned around three minutes.  That is simply not strong coaching.

Secondly, I have a bone to pick with one of our 'best' players.  Huselius was considered a highly sought after scorer when we picked him up, and he has done nothing but let me down this year.  He is playing with easily one of the most dynamic players in the league, and yet somehow he has been lackluster and lazy on the ice.  His turnover ratio is getting more than absurd, and his attitude on the ice makes it seem like he is simply going through the motions.

Bottom line here, is that games are not one by individuals, they are won by an entire team working as a cohesive unit.  Bombing on the powerplay, and watching top players cough up the puck time and time again without any sort of repercussion can only work against the production of this unit.  I would like to see some accountability by line one after tonight.  I want to see Hitch call them out and call himself out by suggesting that no one really brought their appropriate game tonight.  Sure, they dominated for most of the game, but does that really benefit the result?  No, it absolutely does not.

Their next game is at home on Thursday against a big team.  I am ready to see a rejuvenated team, and I hope you are as well fans!

Carry the Flag.

Five (and I ain't talkin' sandwich prices)

Five home games left in the regular season.

Five.

That's how many opportunities you have to get into newly dubbed Mason-wide Arena and feel the rumble of the cement under your feet as the cannon fires.

That's how many chances you have to see Stinger drop from the ceiling before the boyz take to the ice.

That's how many times you have left to say you were there at one of the games during the greatest season yet in Columbus Blue Jackets history.

That's how many games there are on home ice where we the fans can provide some crucial leverage and encouragement, not to mention bear witness to greatness.

Oh, you can't get there? You can't afford the tickets? Or the game is sold out?

Well, can you get downtown? Because right next to the Arena is R Bar. The R has wide screen televisions, a penalty box, very large beer tubes of 100 oz of beer for $16, and plenty of Blue Jackets decor. Home or even away games you are surrounded by Jackets faithful and promised a great time.

On a recent Friday night, they (the great and powerful THEY....) tried to deny us the enjoyment of the game. It was away. In Chicago. And not carried on FSO. At all. As you might recall from my earlier post, I am quite certain that there is a vast, deep, and wide conspiracy to make getting to post-regular season games (I refuse to say the P-word) as difficult as possible. I still believe this is happening. Did anyone see that dive call on Boll Wednesday night? Exactly how does one dive with the opponent's stick between his legs after being pinned down in the corner?

But I digress.

So, Once we realized our limited viewing options for this incredibly important late season game, we skipped our way merrily downtown, ate a wonderful meal at Bar Louie's, and then headed to the R' for the viewing.

OMG.

The place, as you can see, was packed. We cozied up to a rail along the window and stood for the game. We Twittered away, including sending a proof of life to Aaron Portzline that the place was standing room only. And the place was rockin'. And people were knockin'. And we told them to come on in. And the boyz pulled it out with a different goalie in place and our jaws on the floor.

So come down to Mason-wide and take a chance! Come to the R' and enjoy a Stinger bomb!

Five home games left, people.

Five.

Carry the Flag.

Carrying the Flag into this Weekend..

It looks as though Howson has made a ruling on center Derick Brassard, who had surgery in late 2008.  While the center is recovering famously, playing him before May is extremely unlikely, which would basically put him out until the second round of the playoffs.

Now personally, I am not much of an advocate of bringing anyone back unless they are more than healed, but in this case, I might be able to bite my tongue.  Because they are not pushing to get him back, maybe the May timetable is completely reasonable.  Regardless, Brassard is not being rushed, and that is a very good thing.

This weekend the Jackets play the Florida Panthers, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  Both with similar styles, the game will certainly draw interest from the attending crowd.  A win would bring Columbus within two points of Chicago, who fell to the 5th spot last night for the first time in probably a couple months.

One other point of interest I would like to get out there is their away record.  While the Jackets have had tremendous success at home this year, their record away remains below .500 at 14-17-4.  I think winning 5 of their last 6 away games would be a serious statement for the team heading into the post season, and I do not think it is all that hard to do.

Their final away games are against Florida, Tampa Bay, St Louis(2), Nashville, and Chicago.  Interesting how 4 of those six are against division rivals, and winning them would definitely put the dagger in the heart of any divisional team trying to get past them in the standings.  Here is hoping they treat the next 11 games as though they are all playoffs games.

Carry the Flag!

Winning With a "B' Game

While the Jackets have been boasting a tremendous 7-3-0 record over their last ten games, it does not really provide a good explanation of how they got there.  The game against the Chicago Blackhawks last night is fairly indicative of their windy road.

It kind of read like this, and I am bulleting only because of the randomness...  

• Quick weak goal on Mason..  
  
• Line 1a gets a great tip to tie.. 
  
• Crazy ricochet off the boards from a Methot point shot buried by Dorsett for the 2-1 lead..
  
• Blown coverage leads to a nice goal by Kane..
  
• Period ends.
  
• Hedja falls asleep while Toews capitalizes for the 3-2 lead..
  
• Nash scores on a lazy wrister that beats a lazier Huet...
  
• Period ends.
  
• Refs fail miserably calling Boll for getting tripped by a stick..
  
• Refs fail miserably to the point of 15,000 people booing every time the powerplay (aka Chicago) touches the puck..
  
• Klesla gets called for being physical..
  
• Period ends.
  
• ANTOINE VERMETTE SHINES!!!!!!!

Now, I can not really say I sat throughout the game quietly appreciating the lackluster effort by the officials, and I chose a few words that got a snicker from the small peanut gallery that happened to be in the vicinity.  What I saw tonight though, was resilience that was deeply rooted in an entire fan bases distaste for what they saw being done to their hometown team.

Moving past that, the Jackets were able to score ugly goals (which is a rarity) and they finished the game with a heads up 2 on 1 that was completed by Vermette, who some are calling the savior of the Jackets.  I like to call him my diamond in the rough.

Three very quick points... The Jackets outhit the Hawks 28-18.  They also outshot them, but only by one.  Finally, the 'power line' of Nash-Malhotra-Huselius were the only Jackets in the negative in terms of +/-.....  Makes you wonder why there is no discussion about splitting that pairing up and letting some of the younger guys get a crack at playing with Nash.

Oh, and did I mention the Jackets now have the same number of wins as the Hawks?  And also that they only sit 4 points back?  Hitting the 80 point mark ties a franchise record and there are still 11 games remaining on the schedule.

Carry the Flag!